Antiobiotics have played an enormous role in the advance of medicine and our understanding of human biochemistry since Louis Pasteur came along; however recent headlines about super resistant bacteria and antiobiotics available over the counter in China may have caught your attention and caused you to question whether it’s a mass medication using antibiotics is a good thing.

A recent study in the British Medical Journal highlighted the many problems of antibiotic prescription in primary health care. The study which was a meta-analysis included a review of 24 studies involving the use of antibiotics.

One of the main findings of the study stated ‘ studies reporting the quantity of antibiotic use found that larger duration of multiple courses were associated with higher rates of resistance.’ There was particular emphasis on findings for individuals who were prescribed antibiotics for a urinary or respiratory infection, where bacterial resistance developed to that antibiotic.

One of the many problems of sustained sporadic use of antibiotic prescription is that it kills all microbes in the body, whether they be good or bad.  Beneficial gut flora such as lactobacillus, clostridia and bifidobacterium and many others are necessary for an optimal digestive system and these microbes are wiped out following a course of antibiotics. The mucosal lining of the gut and respiratory passage which houses approximately 75% of the immune system and produces antibodies necessary for fighting invading bacteria and parasites, also becomes compromised.

Once compromised then other microbes, found on food, in the air and even from partners or pets can develop an imbalance between the beneficial and bad bacteria which is often termed a dysbiosis or dysbacteriosis. This often leaves the immune system compromised and if left long enough can be the cause problems with the gut, skin, mood, energy, muscle pains, arthritis and many other issues including elevated cholesterol levels.

I often see many clients with compromised immune systems and auto immune diseases such as uticaria, ulcerative colitis, celiac, colitis, chronic fatigue and many other conditions which can often be traced back to a dysfunctional digestive system. In 100% of all clients assessed findings of bacterial, parasite and fungal, (in many cases all 3) overgrowth have been recorded and this is usually coupled with suppressed immune system and low levels of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

Therefore it’s worth knowing that there are other successful ways to treat these conditions by looking at dietary and lifestyle issues and potentially using botanical, anti-bacterial and parasite protocols based around diet, exsercise and lifestyle to build the immune system rather decimate it further.

If you would like to find out more about digestion, hormonal, energy or other body analysis please feel free to get in touch with me at Keith@foundryfit.com for your free consultation

Costelloe, C. Metcalfe, C. Lovering, A., Mant, D., and Hay, A.D. Effect of antibiotic prescribing in primary care on antimicrobial resistance in individuals patients: systematic review and meta analysis. British Medical Journal, BMJ 2010;340;c2096